Low Profile Weapon Receptacle

ABSTRACT

Low profile receptacle devices that removably receive at least one weapon via a formed friction fit are disclosed. In an aspect, low profile receptacle devices are disclosed that comprise at least one rigid or semi-rigid sheet of material that makes the devices durable, reliable, compact, ergonomic, highly concealable, and easy to use. Such low profile receptacle devices may be worn on a user&#39;s belt via integration with at least one belt loop.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, and is a continuation-in-part ofApplicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/260,616(Attorney Docket No. 3164.01) entitled “Mongo's Custom Bad Ass Holster,”filed Apr. 24, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to weapon holsters and moreparticularly to holsters with a low profile configuration.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Holsters have long been used for carrying various types of weapons onone's person. Holsters allow for a weapon to be carried in an accessiblefashion while still allowing one's hands to be free to do other things.Some of the biggest concerns associated with holster wear and useinclude utility, durability, comfort, and degree of concealability. Ofcourse, these issues may mean different things to different users.

One group of frequent holster users includes military personnel. In amilitary setting, having proper access to one's weapon at any givenmoment can, and often does, mean the difference between life and death.Holsters that break and/or that fail to readily produce and/or receive aweapon can put a soldier in a life-threatening situation wherein aweapon, such as a handgun, goes missing and/or is not quickly and easilyretrievable. Similarly, being able to properly store and/or concealone's weapon can mean the difference between a peaceful encounter inenemy territory and an unwanted instigation of hostility. Of lessconsequence, but nevertheless important, is the comfort associated withcarrying a weapon around all day. Soldiers that exert significantamounts of physical energy every day desire comfortable gear when it canbe provided.

Several attempts have been made to provide users, such as militarypersonnel, with holsters that are highly concealable and have aminimalistic, yet durable, design; however, the resulting products oftenfall well below user expectations. The provided holsters are oftenbulkier, more complex than necessary, and/or oddly shaped causing themto be uncomfortable or inefficient in use, easily broken, and/orconfigured such that it is difficult to insert or remove one's weaponfrom them, amongst other problems. Moreover, several types of holstersexist that include poorly designed straps, latches, locking mechanisms,and the like, which can impede fastidious weapon retrieval in the eventof an emergency. Additionally, currently available holsters are oftenmade of flimsy materials, such as leather, and therefore have less thanoptimal durability. As a result of these defects, many holsters providedto the military go unused and/or become quickly discarded, resulting inwasted funding and the potential hindrance of user safety.

Given the foregoing, holster devices are needed that allow weapon users,such as military personnel, to carry one or more weapons in a concealed,durable, and easily-accessible fashion. Additionally, hostler devicesthat are comfortable during long term wear are desired.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts. Theseconcepts are further described below in the Detailed Descriptionsection. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of this disclosure's subject matter, nor is thisSummary intended as an aid in determining the scope of the disclosedsubject matter.

Aspects of the present disclosure meet the above-identified needs byproviding receptacle devices for receiving one or more weapons, thereceptacle devices being configured in a low profile format.Specifically, in an aspect, receptacle devices are disclosed thatcomprise at least one sheet of rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such asa thermoplastic. The sheet comprises an opening that is molded toreceive at least one weapon via a friction form fit. In some aspects,especially when the material of the sheet comprises a thermoplastic, thecompartment, via the configuration of the sheet of material, comprises aflexion-induced tension force based on the inherent flexing nature ofthe chosen material, such force helping to retain one or more weaponsreceived therein. The sheet of material may be integrated with one ormore belt loops in order to securely attach to a user's belt.

In some aspects, receptacle devices in accordance with the presentdisclosure comprise two sheets of rigid and/or semi-rigid material. Insuch aspects, the sheets may be configured adjacent to one another withthe molded compartment formed between the sheets for receiving one ormore weapons therein. Opposing distal ends of the two sheets may besecurely held together via one or more fasteners.

In some additional aspects, the receptacle device of the presentdisclosure may be contoured to fit securely, comfortably, and closelyagainst a user's hip. In such aspects, proper contouring may provide theuser with more freedom of movement as well as help prevent thereceptacle device from breaking as a result of user's awkward bodypositioning, such as the user is crouching, ducking, and/or crawling.

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well asthe structure and operation of various aspects of the presentdisclosure, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become moreapparent from the Detailed Description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings in which like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a low profile weapon receptacle device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a low profile weapon receptacle device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a low profile weapon receptacle device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a low profile weapon receptacle device thathas received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a low profile weapon receptacle device that hasreceived a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a low profile weapon receptacle devicethat has received a weapon, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a low profile weapon receptacle device thathas received a weapon, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a low profile weapon receptacle device,according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an image of a low profile weapon receptacle device beingutilized by a user, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to weapon receptacle devices that areconfigured to maintain a low profile when worn. Aspects of the presentdisclosure provide weapon receptacle devices that comprise a simplisticdesign using custom molded rigid and/or semi-rigid materials so as tofacilitate ease of use, durability, reliability, and comfort associatedwith use and wear. Specifically, in an aspect, low profile weaponreceptacle devices are disclosed wherein at least one sheet of materialcomprising a uniform width is formed to include at least one openingthat is custom molded to securely receive at least one weapon via afriction form fit.

The term “receptacle” and/or the plural form of this term are usedthroughout herein to refer to any device capable of securely receivingat least one item for carrying, the device being attachable to a portionof an individual's person, a piece of apparel, and/or a functional item,such as a backpack, duffel bag, and the like. In some aspects, a“receptacle” may be a holster.

The term “user” and/or the plural form of this term are used throughoutherein to refer to any individual who may need and/or desire to carry anitem by utilizing the receptacle devices disclosed herein, particularly,but not only, when the item is a weapon, such as a handgun. Users mayinclude military personnel, law enforcement officials, hunters, and thelike.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a top view of a low profile weapon receptacledevice 100, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, is shown.

Receptacle device 100 may comprise at least one sheet 102 (shown assheets 102 a and 102 b in FIG. 1), at least one opening 104, at leastone fastener 106 (shown as fasteners 106 a and 106 b in FIG. 1), and atleast one belt loop 108 (shown as belt loops 108 a and 108 b in FIG. 1).

Sheets 102 and belt loops 108 may comprise, at least in part, rigidand/or semi-rigid material so as to provide stability and durability todevice 100. Additionally, such material may be pliable at very hightemperatures in order to be formed and molded into custom designedshapes and sizes, thereby allowing device 100 to accommodate a varietyof items within opening 104 and/or attach to a variety of different beltsizes via loops 108. In some aspects, sheets 102 and belt loops 108 areconstructed to fit popular items and belt sizes. In some additionalaspects, sheets 102 and belt loops 108 are formed with minimalcustomization, so as to enable a single device 100 to receive a varietyof different weapons and/or belts.

By way of example and not limitation, the material used to make sheets102 and/or belt loops 108 may comprise a thermoplastic, such as Kydex®,which is available from KYDEX, LLC of Bloomsburg, Pa. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s), the Kydex® mayreach a significant level of pliability upon being heated to a very hightemperature such as, by way of example and not limitation, approximately350 degrees Fahrenheit. As will also be appreciated by those skilled inthe relevant art(s) after reading the description herein, a variety ofother materials may be used to construct sheets 102, loops 108, and/orany other component of device 100, including metals, other plastics,rubber, cloth, various other polymers, and the like. By way of exampleand not limitation, each sheet 102 may be approximately 20.32 cm longand 5.08 cm wide prior to any customization, while each belt loop 108may comprise material that is 10.16 cm long and 1.91 cm wide.

Upon being heated to an appropriate temperature, the Kydex® and/or othermaterial comprising sheets 102 may be custom molded to form opening 104,opening 104 extending across the width of a central portion of sheets102. In some aspects, opening 104 is configurable to securely receive anitem, which may include, by way of example and not limitation, aspecific weapon 402 (not shown in FIG. 1), such as a handgun, via afriction induced form fit. Particularly, a portion of the barrel and/ortrigger assembly of the handgun comprising weapon 402 may be received byopening 104; however, any portion of weapon 402 may be received byopening 104 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevantart(s) after reading the description herein. In forming opening 104, twosheets 102 may be used, adjacent to one another, or a single sheet 102may be used, folded upon itself. In either case, device 100 comprises anouter sheet 102 a and an inner sheet 102 b.

In aspects wherein sheets 102 are comprised of at least one semi-rigidmaterial, such material may comprise an inherent flexible tensionproperty. That is, upon inserting weapon 402 into opening 104, outersheet 102 a may be pushed slightly away from inner sheet 102 b, therebycausing the distance between outer sheet 102 a and inner sheet 102 b toincrease, allowing for easier insertion of weapon 402. Once weapon 402is fully received by opening 104, the distance between outer sheet 102 aand inner sheet 102 b may return to its smaller initial resting state,thereby tightening around weapon 402 in order to securely receive it andprevent its unintentional release from opening 104. Similarly, theflexible nature of sheets 102 may facilitate easier removal of weapon402 from opening 104. By way of example and not limitation, weapon 402may comprise a specific individual weapon to which opening 104 may becustom molded; a certain type of weapon, such a handgun, ammunition,knife, automatic or semi-automatic firearm; as well as a variety ofother specific weapons and/or generic weapons as will be apparent tothose skilled in the relevant art(s) after reading the descriptionherein. Furthermore, other objects other than weapon 402 may be receivedby opening 104, including mobile cellular phones, portable electronicdevices, and similar objects as will be appreciated by those skilled inthe relevant art(s) after reading the description herein. In someaspects, device 100 may be integrated with one or more hooks, straps,snaps, buttons, protrusions, ridges, lips, crevices, locks, tabs,sliders, pins, or similar elements and/or structures that help keepweapon 402 secure within opening 104 in such a way so as to not diminishthe simplicity and overall ease of use of device 100.

At opposing distal ends of device 100, fasteners 106 may hold sheets 102a and 102 b together and/or securely attach belt loops 108. By way ofexample and not limitation, fasteners 106 may comprise screws, nuts,clips, rivets, washers, bolts, nails, pins, adhesives, or any othersimilar component as recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s).In some aspects, fasteners 106 may comprise Kydex® screws that aresecurable within Kydex® screw inserts integrated with the opposingdistal ends of device 100.

In aspects wherein device 100 comprises belt loops 108, loops 108 may becustom designed to fit securely around a specific belt. This may beaccomplished by heating the material of loops 108 to an appropriatetemperature, at which it may become pliable. Once pliable, the materialmay be formed around the actual belt to which device 100 may beattached. Various amounts of customization may be applied to loops 108,such that loops 108 may be formed to receive a specific belt, a certaintype of belt, or one or more generic belts. In some aspects, device 100may be substantially the same width as a given belt.

In some aspects, while the material of sheets 102 is in a pliable state,sheets 102 may be custom form fitted to fit the hip of a particular user902 (not shown in FIG. 1), thereby facilitating a maximum level ofcomfort during wear. In alternative aspects, pliable sheets 102 may beformed so as to fit a generically determined hip size, or anapproximated hip size for a user 902. In yet further aspects, sheet 902may not undergo any form fitting process.

In some additional aspects, device 100 may be formed so that outer sheet102 a comprises a higher degree of curvature than inner sheet 102 b.Such a configuration may allow for maximum comfort and concealment to beachieved for device 100 in that inner sheet 102 b may be formed to fitcomfortably, tightly, and securely upon user 902's hip while outer sheet102 a may be formed in significantly close proximity to inner sheet 102b, providing just enough room to create opening 104 between sheets 102 aand 102 b and therein securely receive weapon 402.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a bottom view of a low profile weaponreceptacle device 100 that has received a weapon 402, according to anaspect of the present disclosure, is shown.

In some aspects, the bottom portion of at least one of sheets 102 maycomprise securing lip 702 (labeled only as securing lip 702 a in FIG. 7,for clarity). Lip 702 may prevent one or more received portions ofweapon 402, such as the trigger assembly, from passing all the waythrough opening 104, thereby adding an extra retention element to device100. Lip 702 may be formed as part of one or more sheets 102 or may besecurely attached thereto. Lip 702 may comprise any material that may beused to construct device 100, including thermoplastic, metal, otherplastics, rubber, cloth, various other polymers, and the like.

While various aspects of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures in theattachments, which highlight the structure, methodology, functionalityand advantages of the present disclosure, are presented for examplepurposes only. The present disclosure is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be implemented in ways other than thatshown in the accompanying figures (e.g., transportation of other fluidsor compositions of matter to inland hydraulic fracturing sites;utilization of transportation mechanisms and devices other than thosementioned herein). As will be appreciated by those skilled in therelevant art(s) after reading the description herein, certain featuresfrom different aspects of the systems, methods and computer programproducts of the present disclosure may be combined to form yet newaspects of the present disclosure.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the relevant art(s) who arenot familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thistechnical disclosure. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the present disclosure in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low profile weapon receptacle device configuredto removably receive at least one weapon, the device comprising: twoelongated sheets of semi-rigid material of uniform width, eachcomprising a central portion and two opposing distal ends, and arrangedas an outer sheet and an inner sheet; at least one opening formed withinthe central portion of the two sheets between the outer sheet and theinner sheet, the at least one opening extending across the width of theat least one sheet; and at least one fastener.
 2. The device of claim 1,further comprising: at least one belt loop for securely receiving aportion of a belt; wherein the at least one belt loop is securelyattached via the at least one fastener; and wherein the two sheets havea sheet width substantially equal to a belt width.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one opening is molded to removably receiveat least one portion of the at least one weapon via a friction fit. 4.The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one weapon is a firearm. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one portion of the at leastone weapon is at least one of: a barrel and a trigger assembly.
 6. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the at least one opening exerts a tensionretaining force on the removably received at least one weapon.
 7. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the two sheets further comprises a bottomportion, the bottom portion comprising at least one lip configured toblock at least a portion of the at least one opening preventing the atleast one portion of the removably received at least one weapon frompassing completely through the at least one opening by physicallycontacting the at least one portion of the at least one weapon.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet is molded to fit theshape of a user hip.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the material ofthe at least one sheet comprises a thermoplastic.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one belt loop is formed from a materialthat comprises a thermoplastic.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein theat least one fastener is at least one of: a screw, a bolt, a nail, andan adhesive.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configuredto be lightweight.
 13. The device of claim 1, the device comprising adegree of curvature.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the outer sheetportion comprises a higher degree of curvature than the inner sheetportion.